Budget Logjam Shows Power Of State's Addiction To Road Building

Note that the state budget paralysis is over how to finance road building, not whether or when, or why.

It is by borrowing? Is it by again tapping tobacco settlement capital?

Despite the need for a major intervention, the old models are still in force.

And that's why addiction is a good descriptor. The situation reminds me of a man I knew who was deeply in debt, was going to lose his job, but wouldn't cut one costly part of his monthly expenses - - what he called his "wine budget."

Draw your own conclusion...

The debate at the Capitol over spending and revenues is so one-dimensional that no one dares suggest that some huge and unjustifiable highway projects take trims or come off the list, like this year's start to the $1.9 billion rebuilding and expansion of I-94 from Milwaukee to the Illinois line.

The highway lobby and all its subsidiaries are bombarding legislators with releases and pleas too numerous to list - - which in an election year are clear-cut ballot-box and campaign-financing threats.

And as legislators figure out a way to keep the road builders happy, I wouldn't put it past leaders in both parties to offer up Great Lakes Compact implementing bill language as budgeting bargaining chips, since water, transportation and other big items are key elements to be resolved in the legislative Special Session.

When there's a logjam, the logrollers are in charge.

.